Marcus Center Announces Director of Development

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Candotti as Director of Development. Kelly joins the nonprofit team responsible for the premier venue for performing arts in Milwaukee where in 2016, nearly 700,000 attendees visited, across 2,250 events. She brings a background in development and marketing to the team, with nonprofit and sports industry experience.

As Director of Development, Kelly will strategically identify growth opportunities for fund development to further philanthropic giving to the Center. She will work collaboratively with the Director of Diversity and Community Engagement to fund outreach initiatives focused on broadening the audience at the Marcus Center and opening new channels for attendance.

She will also help identify unique opportunities to engage corporate partners to help the Marcus Center achieve its mission to be the bridge between cultures and gathering place for the community.

"We are thrilled to have Kelly join the Marcus Center team," said Heidi Lofy, Marcus Center Vice President Sales & Marketing. "She brings great experience, a love for the arts and a passion for our mission to grow our reach in the community."

Kelly spent five years in fundraising roles for the American Cancer Society in Milwaukee, primarily focused on corporate development through sponsorship, programmatic funding and employee engagement statewide. In addition to raising nearly $2 million annually, she was tasked with starting the MilwauKee Young

Professionals of the American Cancer Society with membership of 60 up-and-comers representing key local corporations. Before moving to the nonprofit sector, Kelly was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers front office, concentrated on Marketing & Promotions for the Club for several seasons.

Kelly is a graduate of the Marquette University College of Business, with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business. She serves her alma mater on the Business Administration Alumni Association Board and the Business Career Center Advisory Board. She is actively involved in the visual arts community, supporting the Milwaukee Art Museum After Dark as an Advisory Board member as well as a member at Bayview Printing Company.